TomT wrote:The 2017, due out early next year, will have ACC, auto-brake, lane departure, and a number of other safety features,

pkulak wrote:My next car needs to at least have auto cruise.

Tom, source? The only rumors I've seen that look to be fairly solid are for ACC. They certainly could include all the others in one go, or at least auto-braking since the ACC already has most of the sensors, but I haven't seen anything from the 'usual suspects' other than pure speculation as to anything beyond ACC.

Guy [I have lots of experience designing/selling off-grid AE systems, some using EVs but don't own one. Local trips are by foot, bike and/or rapid transit].

The 'best' is the enemy of 'good enough'.Copper shot, not Silver bullets.

The Malibu Hybrid gets way better fuel economy, (48 vs 41 MPG). I think the 2017 Volt will get this new technology (cooled EGR/external heat recovery) which will improve thermal efficiency and bring the gas consumption closer to the 50 MPG mark.

DaveinOlyWA wrote:power seats? ya, they are ok for company cars when several people drive them but my LEAF? one that only 2 people have driven besides me in 23 months? why do I need power seats again?? They are nice but and I would love them for my LEAF and I am willing to pay an extra...uh... hmmm.. ok, never mind. I guess I wouldn't be willing to pay extra for that.

It's just that it must be one of the very few cars in this kind of price range without power seats. I see them almost as power mirrors; kind of essential. Not really, but not something you want to do without when spending over $30k on a vehicle.

there's no cool tech available except in the powertrane. It's a real shame.

It did kind of feel that way. It really felt like I was driving an econobox that happens to have a nice electric power train. Compared to other hybrids in the same price range (loaded camry hybrid or avalon hybrid), it's frankly just a really tough sell. Either of those get the same gas mileage, and with gas as cheap as it is now, it's barely worth the hassle of even plugging a car in (and we all have to be honest it IS a tiny hassle to do it every car trip, beginning and end, particularly when you have stuff to carry). For what it's worth I went back to Toyota and bought a new hybrid from them yesterday. I wanted to like the Volt, and it was okay, but that vs a full size sedan with more power and still excellent gas mileage, I just couldn't.

The Malibu Hybrid gets way better fuel economy, (48 vs 41 MPG). I think the 2017 Volt will get this new technology (cooled EGR/external heat recovery) which will improve thermal efficiency and bring the gas consumption closer to the 50 MPG mark.

Sorry, there is no way in the world this will happen. 2016 is a complete refresh of the Volt, Chevy is not going to change its power train yet again for 2017.

Hell, I'll take _any_ tech in the Leaf at this point. Right now it has the Around View Monitor, and that's it. No power seats, MEMORY seats (huge when you a family of 4 with one car), auto cruise, lane keep, parking sensors, park assist, carplay, Android auto, Google Maps, traffic data, LTE, HUD, and who knows what else I'm missing off the top of my head. Most manufacturers realize that the early adopter, EV types are the people who love tech and will move on to another brand if you don't give it to them. To this day you can add most of the Lexus tech to a Prius, for example. But, the Leaf SL has leather seats, a useless solar panel and auto headlights. Oh, be still my beating heart!

The Volt product manager (sorry, forgot his name) with whom I had an extended talk at Alt Car Expo... It could change between then and now, but he seemed pretty definite about it and also indicated that this is why they were doing a short 2016 run... They also want the 2017 Volt to qualify for the Plus safety rating and it requires most of these systems to do so...

GRA wrote:Tom, source? The only rumors I've seen that look to be fairly solid are for ACC. They certainly could include all the others in one go, or at least auto-braking since the ACC already has most of the sensors, but I haven't seen anything from the 'usual suspects' other than pure speculation as to anything beyond ACC.

Picked up our (wife's) 2016 Volt in MD a couple days ago. Drove it 711 miles back to IL. I had originally planned to stay overnight halfway home. A couple of tourist attractions didn't work out and I was not tired or uncomfortable. Stopped a couple times for gas and felt great getting out of car (ie. back not sore or anything).

Interface is way different but great. Very noticeable power difference at lower speeds. Really liked all the safety features. Tested Lane Keep Assist (LKA) out. It will steer you back in a lane if it detects you going out and you are not putting much pressure on the steering wheel.

I cross the 'mountains' and it performed great. Drove 75 much of the way. Didn't need mountain mode which I heard is not necessary in 2016s with different drivetrain and gas engine.